Friday, October 18, 2024 | Rabi' ath-thani 14, 1446 H
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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

Embracing the spirit of Eid: Unity and joy with family and community

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The annually-celebrated festivities mark a different way of enjoying life and its blessings with family and society. On such happy occasions, people share unforgettable moments with their family, relatives, friends, colleagues, and neighbours.


Celebrating Eid is among the much-awaited occasions and being in this kind of celebration mood is very inspiring, and encouraging to refresh minds and spirits. As well, it helps strengthen relations with others and breaks the daily routine of one’s life.


That is why everyone needs to get into such a cheerful mood every now and then even if there is no occasion to observe or commemorate.


Reviving the same spirit of joy could be for the sake of refreshing minds and spirits alike. Certainly, getting together with your loved ones in Eid joyous gatherings helps people be more relaxed, satisfied, and thrilled. Hence, despite the reason behind the festivity, people will strive not to miss it to share the good times of fun and entertainment.


As people experienced this kind of festivity almost two months back at Eid Al Fitr, they are observing again with Eid Al Adha, an annual celebration falling on the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar, Dhul Hijjah.


Both occasions are a must-to-celebrate ritual for all Muslims and represent two key pillars of Islam. Those Eid celebrations are bestowed as gifts for Muslims by the Almighty Allah, so great moments of joy and happiness are very well-received by people of all ages.


It is the second of two Islamic religious celebrations commemorated worldwide each year and considered the holier of the two. This Eid is being celebrated on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah every year and called Festival of Sacrifice or Feast of Sacrifice instead. It is linked with Muslims performing Haj pilgrimage as the 5th pillar of Islam.


The story behind this Eid, called the Festival of Sacrifice, honours the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim, Peace Be Upon Him, to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to the command of the Almighty Allah. Before the Prophet sacrificed his son, Allah provided a male goat to sacrifice instead. In commemoration of this, an animal is sacrificed and divided into three parts: one third of the share is given to the poor and needy; another third is given to relatives, friends and neighbours; and the remaining third is retained by the family. This represents the animal that the Prophet Ibrahim sacrificed in the place of his son.


At Eid Al Adha, men, women, and children are dressed in their finest clothing to perform Eid prayers in a large congregation usually in an open area or a Masjid. Then, Muslims who can afford it sacrifice their best animals; could be a cow, but can also be a camel, goat or sheep as a symbol of Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his only son. The sacrificed animals, called Adhiya, have to meet certain age and quality standards, or else the animal is considered an unacceptable sacrifice.


Eid Al Adha is an annual religious ritual being celebrated by all Muslims worldwide, coinciding with pilgrims performing Haj. Actually, It is becoming a cheerful festivity for all children, adults, and the elderly, both men and women alike.


On this day, people get together and become more united, pathetic, and welcoming as well as forgiving and sociable. To tell the truth, celebrating Eid Al Adha brings a day of integrity and getting closer regardless of all the social and personal differences between people within the same society or nation.


They all come together starting a new chapter of life as indicates welcoming a new Hijri year. The day is regarded as a sacred gift from Allah to reunite people and allow them to recall the historical story behind their celebration.


Wish you all a happy and prosperous Eid!


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